Is DLR as crazy at Christmas as WDW?

[WVParkfan]

I'm trying to find a time of year that would work best for our East Coast family to travel to DisneyLand. I was looking at possibly Christmas of 2009, but then I remembered how awful it was at WDW in Florida during Christmas. Is it as crazy at DLR during the holidays?

 

[DangerMouse]

The week between Christmas and New Years Eve is traditionally the most crowded time in DLR. They close the gates quite often due to capacity.

 

[Jenn1116]

I've heard going the weeks before and after Christmas are crazy. But Early December is supposed to be less crowded. I'm headed to DL the first week of December this year to finally see Christmas at DL and I'm very excited. I'm sure other will have more info. I hope someone who has done Christmas at both will post.

 

[WVParkfan]

Sounds just like WDW during the holidays. Oh well, it was worth a shot. We went to WDW during Christmas once, and swore we would never do it again! So if DLR is that busy too, we don't want any part of that.

I'll go back to my original plan of looking at July, 2010 for our trip to DLR.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm trying to find a time of year that would work best for our East Coast family to travel to DisneyLand. I was looking at possibly Christmas of 2009, but then I remembered how awful it was at WDW in Florida during Christmas. Is it as crazy at DLR during the holidays?

We were in Disneyland last year on the weekend right before Christmas and it was crowded everywhere. No escaping it. However, in the past, when I have been to DLR right between Christmas and New Year's, those crowds were even WORSE. I actually think going there right before the holiday is better than right after, because a lot of people are probably spending the holiday with their families at home...and THEN going to DLR during their vacation week off between holidays. If my plan goes according to schedule, we will find ourselves back at DLR this December, on the weekend right after Christmas (Dec. 26-Dec. 29) and I expect the crowds to be ridiculous. It is WONDERFUL, and special and magical and enchanting and all of that, at that time of year - but it cannot be denied that the crowds are hideous. At least it is not HOT at that time of year because I have very little patience for crowds combined with heat!!!

Oh, and we have also been there on a Thanksgiving weekend, and those crowds also seemed to be worse than the weekend right before Christmas.

 

[GailT]

I'm trying to find a time of year that would work best for our East Coast family to travel to DisneyLand. I was looking at possibly Christmas of 2009, but then I remembered how awful it was at WDW in Florida during Christmas. Is it as crazy at DLR during the holidays?

I was there Christmas of 2006, being from ***. I didn't know what to expect. It was crowded but not to the point that you couldnt enjoy yourself.I am nervious this year because due to airfare I couldnt go to Dl but going to DW and I know that can be a zoo there. You will love DL at Christmas time, I like the smaller proximity to everything. I actuelly went to dinner at 5 and was afrai d I would get back in but I did

 

[jlmarr]

Sounds just like WDW during the holidays. Oh well, it was worth a shot. We went to WDW during Christmas once, and swore we would never do it again! So if DLR is that busy too, we don't want any part of that.

I'll go back to my original plan of looking at July, 2010 for our trip to DLR.

I'd bet it's worse at DLR due to the influx of out-of-towners for the Rose Parade - besides those in town just to see the parade, nearly every band in the RP will also march at DLR, and each member brings family and extended family, etc.

 

[EnnEss]

Ive been there the week of christmas, it was crowded. First week of december is always really slow though. Thats a really really nice time to go, decor is up, hotels are really cheap, weather in Anaheim is still nice in December.

It'll be similar to WDW the week of christmas / new year's, but you don't have to deal with the buses at least, which is one of the worst things about crowded times at WDW.

 

[disney-inspired]

I have gone to Disneyland the week of Christmas, before Christmas Eve and the week before Christmas. If you go on a weekday the crowds are less. Both those times it didn't feel packed and we did everything we wanted to do.

 

[mousemom11]

We were there the 2nd week of December 2005. All the decorations were up and during the day, the parks were not crowded at all. It got crowded at night when the locals came in for the parade and fireworks.

 

[silence]

The last December trip we made, we made the mistake of staying through Saturday, on the weekend that most people were traveling to the park.

It was HORRIBLE. We won't do it again. I remember coming into the park late on Friday after dinner, and right before the parade. We couldn't get up Main Street due to crowds. Once in the park, we were stuck with horrible lines. We decided to leave, and we got TRAPPED between the Matterhorn and Nemo when the construction walls were up. It was a wall of people coming both ways and no one could move. It was insane. My poor DS was grabbing on to me so tight.

Anyways, I'd never seen anything like it and vowed never to make that mistake again!